THE WATER GARDEN 169 



some large sheets of water in a deer park near to my home, and with 

 most suitable surroundings, too, such, for instance, as the Bulrush 

 (Scirpus lacustris). I have also seen other sheets of water covered with 

 this Water Lily flowering in the greatest profusion. The flowers are 

 often offered for sale in the seacoast towns of the Eastern Counties, the 

 source of supply, no doubt, being the Broads. The true N. alba has 

 a comparatively small flower, and must not be confounded with N. 

 Candida^ which is more vigorous in every respect. Considering how 

 very popular these old inhabitants of our ponds and lakes have ever 

 been, it was no wonderment to think how the first of the tinted hybrids 

 took on when first imported into this country. There was, it is true, 

 an impression in some quarters that these hybrids were not perfectly 

 hardy. That doubt has now, I think, been completely dispelled. We 

 have been steadily led up to the deeper tints that now obtain in some 

 of the more recently-introduced hybrids. Now we have an ample 

 choice from point of colour alone, as we have also in diversity of 

 growth. Many are the ponds and lakes that are now ornamented with 

 these lovely flowers, and that to great advantage beyond a doubt. 

 They look well when seen at a distance, and even more so when viewed 

 from rising ground, such, for instance, as at the Wisley Gardens of the 

 Royal Horticultural Society ; also at Gravetye Manor, Mr. William 

 Robinson's country seat in Sussex. To fully appreciate their individual 

 beauty and distinct characteristics, a closer inspection needs to be made. 

 Then we can fully realise how lovely some of the later hybrids are. 



Their Utility. Many sheets of water, both large and small, look 

 well without any superabundance of aquatic growth. It is, however, 

 around the margins and in cosy nooks of the larger surfaces of water 

 that the Nymphaeas have a good effect. Smaller sheets of water may, 

 in some measure, have a greater quantity of these plants, so as to pro- 

 duce a distinct effect. For these purposes there is now an abundant 

 choice, both in various forms of growth and in the diversity of colours. 

 Some, too, are suitable to large fountains ; others are better even when 

 grown in small basins of water ; while it is also possible to grow them 

 in large shallow tubs with very good results. In whatever way they are 

 grown, they add to the attractiveness of the garden, and that, too, at a 

 season when the garden is most frequented and more time spent 

 therein. Small ponds and shallow pools are at times, in a measure, 

 unsightly by reason of a scum upon the surface of the water. Where 

 this happens to be the case, some Water Lilies should be planted. 

 These, it is true, may not altogether dispel the bad effect produced, 

 but they will greatly assist in doing so. 



Their Freedom of Growth. Many of the hybrids raised by M. 

 Latour-Marliac are remarkable for their vigorous growth. For these 

 more room is needed than is often allotted to them. When it is seen 

 that the leaves are so dense as to force themselves out of the water, it 

 is indicative that a greater depth is necessary for them. If this cannot 

 be provided, it is better to thin out the crowns. This should be done 

 without any hesitation, for two or three good crowns are very much 



